How the EU and Israel can work together for justice and a safer world
I am happy to be the first European Justice Commissioner going to Israel, as this is an area in which we can strengthen the European Union's relations with Israel. One of my priorities is to improve the fight against anti-Semitism. Anti-Semitism unfortunately remains a serious problem (in Europe and elsewhere) and also needs to be fought on new fronts, especially online. Illegal online hate speech is growing, and unfortunately, incitement to hatred or violence, which only seem like words online, in many cases become threats in the real world.
I am deeply concerned about the impact Anti-Semitism has on Jews' daily life. I am regularly informed that in some places, Jews don't wear their kippah in public places, fearing for their security. Despite some progress in some countries -for example France where incidents dropped by 61% last year- we are still seeing very serious anti-Semitic incidents across Europe.
To combat anti-Semitism online, we've set up a Code of Conduct in 2016. Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Microsoft have committed to remove illegal online hate speech quickly and effectively. The first results are encouraging and we are now working to further improve the system and to include other companies.
We can learn from one another for instance in the field of criminal justice, when fighting against anti-Semitism, including online, or when encouraging gender equality. Over the next coming days, I will discuss these topics, amongst others, with President Rivlin, exchange with Ayelet Shaked, Minister of Justice, and Gila Gamliel, Minister for Social Equality, as well as with Elyakim Rubinstein, former Vice-President of the Supreme Court.
I will also discuss this topic at the High Level EU-Israel Seminar on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Anti-Semitism. We're making important steps: holocaust denial and anti-Semitic hate speech inciting to violence and hatred is outlawed in Europe. In parallel, the European Union provides funding for actions by governments and civil society to prevent and counter anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance. We also support initiatives that raise awareness and promote remembrance of the Holocaust. We consider the education, especially of younger generations, to be a key element: the European Commission supports projects, to equip teachers with the right tools to teach about anti-Semitism and the holocaust. Finally, we are also strengthening data collection about anti-Semitism. We know that it's not enough to condemn it, we need data to give use a better understanding of how (and where) to tackle it. The EU Fundamental Rights Agency is conducting a wide survey on the experience of Jews with anti-Semitism in Europe and we expect to have the results in 2018.
Data protection and the digital policies will also be important parts of my visit to Israel, which has a vibrant and innovative tech sector. I would like to build confidence and trust between the EU and Israel to ensure that personal data exchanged between us is well protected. This is not only important for consumers and businesses but to further boost trade and build good judicial cooperation.
I would like to share the work the EU is doing with my partners in Israel in order to build bridges. Police and judicial authorities have difficulties in accessing e-evidence at the moment. We're discussing with European Justice Ministers the way forward and the necessary safeguard to improve the fight against crime and terrorism while safeguarding fundamental rights.
Finally, gender equality and the fight against violence against women will also be in the agenda. I'm happy to see that the Knesset has never had so many women MKs. I’ll be meeting with civil society representatives who tirelessly work on gender equality and anti-discrimination, to make Israel safer and for all its citizens. Progress is happening, but still too slowly, both in the European Union and in Israel.
I first visited Israel in 1998, on the occasion of the state’s 40th birthday, as a representative of my Czech home town of Trebic, whose historic Jewish quarter is a UNESCO world heritage site. I'm happy to be back to strengthen the ties between the European Union and Israel in many other fields than culture.
Published on the Israeli website news nrg, 22 June 2017.